Academy Enrolled/Self Sponsored Police Recruit

City of Fountain Valley • Fountain Valley, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Fountain Valley Police Department is recruiting candidates who are currently enrolled in a California POST-certified Basic Police Recruit Academy. The recruitment is continuous to meet vacancies and may close at any time. Candidates must graduate from the academy before their official appointment date.

The department serves a community of approximately 60,000 residents and emphasizes courage, duty, ethical public service, community trust, proactive policing, and work-life balance. Recruits who join the department receive a structured field training program, mentorship from experienced officers, and opportunities to develop field expertise. Officers may pursue specialized assignments such as detective work, school resource officer, field training officer, traffic and motorcycle units, SWAT, drone operations, and K9.

The position requires rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Appointment is subject to completion of the required selection and pre-employment processes, including an extensive background investigation, polygraph, and post-conditional-offer medical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug screen.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)-approved Basic Police Recruit Academy.
• Provide formal verification of academy written and physical agility entrance exam scores with the application.
• Maintain satisfactory academic and physical training performance evaluations by academy staff.
• Graduate from the academy before the official appointment date.
• High school graduation or GED.
• Possess a valid California Class C driver’s license by the time of appointment.
• Be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Be free from employment disqualifications, including felony convictions.
• Submit to fingerprinting for searches of local, state, and national fingerprint files.
• Have good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Be free from physical, emotional, or mental conditions, including specified bias, that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers.
• Meet POST hearing requirements and have normal hearing acuity.
• Have vision of 20/70 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, and normal color vision.
• Meet height and weight standards based on age, sex, and frame.
• Be able to work rotating shifts, evenings, holidays, and weekends as assigned.
• Complete the selection process, including application review, oral interview, background investigation, polygraph, and post-conditional-offer medical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug screen.

Nice To Haves

• An associate or bachelor’s degree is highly desirable.
• Candidates who speak another language may qualify for a bilingual premium, depending on qualification level.

Responsibilities

• Protect life and property throughout the community.
• Deliver public service in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner.
• Take a proactive role in public safety and preserve community trust.
• Build relationships with residents, solve problems creatively, and engage proactively with the community.
• Complete academy training and maintain satisfactory academic and physical training performance before appointment.
• Participate in the department’s structured field training program after joining.
• Work rotating shifts, evenings, holidays, and weekends as assigned.

Benefits

• A $5,000 hiring incentive for Police Officer Academy Graduates, paid in two $2,500 installments: at hire and upon successful completion of the probationary period.
• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits; full details are listed in the Benefits tab.
• Potential additional compensation for POST certification, physical fitness and wellness, special assignments, and bilingual qualifications.
• Supportive and structured field training program.
• Dedicated mentorship from experienced officers.
• Opportunities for specialized assignments, training, and professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED